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Carpenter's Shelter is a nonprofit, community-based organization that responds to the needs of homeless people in Alexandria by providing shelter and programs and services that promote self-sufficiency for men, women, and families in a safe environment of dignity and caring. Since 1988, our goals and objectives are to meet the immediate and basic needs for shelter and then to offer each resident the resources to stabilize their lives, overcome homelessness, and become contributing members of the community. We offer comprehensive services in three interrelated programs: temporary residential shelter, including case management, educational, and family services; a daytime drop-in center at David's Place; and an overnight hypothermia shelter during the winter months, which we coordinate for the City of Alexandria. 80-bed Residential Shelter: Carpenter's serves homeless people who are chronically mentally ill; those working to live a life of sobriety or abstinence from drugs/alcohol; individuals who are unemployed/underemployed; physically ill or disabled persons; victims of domestic violence or abuse; parolees; refugees; veterans. All are living in poverty. Providing opportunities that enable residents to overcome poverty and enable lives to be well-lived are at the heart of Carpenter's mission. We offer stability in the midst of chaos and promote means for growth and healing to take place. More than 600 centered our opened doors in 1997. David's Place Day Shelter: Besides homeless persons, who use shelters, some "street people" in Alexandria do not or cannot use a shelter. Many of these individuals suffer from substance abuse disorders and mental illnesses. David's Place is Carpenter's daytime drop-in center, which served more than 500 homeless individuals last year. It is a warm, safe respite from the streets where "members" can take care of basic human needs daily. We provide showers, restroom facilities, laundry services and dry storage areas. Hypothermia Shelter: From November through March, Carpenter's provides an overnight refuge to unsheltered individuals to prevent exposure to the Winter's elements - and perhaps even freezing to death. Last winter, 602 homeless persons (including 43 children) used the winter overflow program. As the numbers suggest, the NEED for Carpenter's Shelter's programs and services is great. Carpenter's Shelter is committed to providing a safe haven and opportunities that promote self-sufficiency and economic independence to Alexandria's homeless. Providing shelter for men, women and children since 1988. United Way / CFC # 8228
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